Vineland reaches labor deal with police sergeants and lieutenants

VINELAND – The city anticipates saving at least $140,000 under a new, three-year contract with police sergeants and lieutenants because the union has agreed not to take retroactive pay increases for 2018.

The Vineland Superior Officers Association has worked this year without a contract, but in late October reached a settlement that would cover the years 2018, 2019 and 2020. The City Council approved the settlement on Nov. 13.

Sgt. Craig Scarpa, the VSOA president, confirmed the first pay increases under the new agreement would start in January. The union voted in November to ratify the contract, he said.

For 2018, the settlement agrees to increase base pay for the union’s 25 sergeants by 0.95 percent or 1.95 percent depending on when a sergeant gained that rank. The increase for the union’s seven lieutenants is 7.37 percent.

Business Administrator Robert Dickenson said the reason 2018 pay increases are included in the contract is that they represent increases in the revised wage guide. He said members will benefit from increases in the wage guide in subsequent years, even though they are not collecting increases in 2018.

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Elizabeth Arthur is sworn in as the newest member of Vineland City Council at City Hall on Tuesday, November 13, 2018.
Adam Monacelli, Vineland Daily Journal

Another significant change for 2019 affects only lieutenants. Starting next year, they will be considered “exempt” employees and not receive overtime pay. Offsetting that, lieutenants starting next year will enjoy the same paid holidays as captains and the chief of police.

For 2019, the city will be allocating a total of $3,637,000 toward the VSOA contact. For 2020, the number will be $3,741,000.

The year-by-year salary ranges for 2017 through 2020 are as follows. The ranges are based on a how long a member has held their rank.

Lieutenant: For 2017, $109,903 to $114,849; for 2018, $118,000 to $120,000; for 2019, $121,000 to $123,000; and for 2020, $123,000 to $127,000.

Sergeant: For 2017, $102,013 to $107,659; for 2018, $104,000 to $114,500; for 2019, $106,000 to $118,000; and for 2020, $108,000 to $120,000.